Utilisation of the Modular NIC Robotics Platform for Service Line Rehabilitation

Completed

Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Civil Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
SGN

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 June 2015

01 February 2016

8 months

£66,000

Energy

South East

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, SGN

Submission of a feasibility report to include:

• Results from the global search showing a matrix of potential component solutions
• Preliminary analysis of operational, procedural and safety considerations associated with the high potential method (s) selected
• Schedule and budgetary estimates for next steps (as appropriate)

The preliminary module specifications along with the conceptual designs generated.

Expected benefits :

The current process of replacing or rehabilitating a gas service line which connects the gas main to a customers meter can be highly disruptive. With larger diameter 12" - 48"mains the disruption caused is increased due to the locations of the mains being in inner city or highly populated areas. Service line replacement typically requires the excavation of a trench between the gas mains and meter, as well as shutting off service to the customer. At present, SGN is not aware of any products or technologies that are available to network licensees across Great Britain (GB) that will enable the rehabilitation of service lines from within the main remotely, reducing the amount of disruption caused by the activity. The potential to replace a corroded service line without the need for costly excavation or disruption of gas flow in the main could lower the cost of asset replacement and decrease disruption to customers and the public. From experience gained by SGN through the use of the Large CISBOT (NIA_SGN0019) robotic repair system, it was noted that roughly 150 services were found over a 600m length of pipe. SGN is currently working with ULC Robotics in the development of a modular robotic platform which has been designed to carry and operate a number of different payloads into tier 2 and 3 live gas mains through the Network Innovation Competition (NIC). This feasibility study will investigate into the potential opportunity to further develop an additional payload from the NIC Robotic platform to perform the task of rehabilitating a gas service line from within the large diameter gas mains expanding its capabilities. A global search will be undertaken for technology that will be used with the existing robotic platform for service line replacement. In order to prepare for the search an extensive review of the existing relevant service line specifications and population will be performed. If appropriate, the project partner may travel to GB to perform site visits and to meet with key SGN personnel. A detailed service line rehabilitation specification will be generated which will be used to develop a refined set of search criteria to guide the global search. Utilising the search criteria and specifications developed collaboratively with SGN, the project partner will perform a global search of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and new technology that may be used directly, modified, or may be combined to provide a solution. The project partner will evaluate products found during the search for viability in order to determine if COTS equipment is currently available which may be used in conjunction with the NIC Robotics Transport Platform. As part of the project, it is anticipated that investigations of products, services and solutions from around the world will be undertaken, including products from companies such as Radius Systems, Synthotech, and Steve Vick.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

17/12/18